Wednesday, November 05, 2008

on my mind...

*I'm so glad that the "election season" is over. And while I hate talking politics, I will say that we're one of the very happy households in the country this morning. I have to say though, that I empathize with many people out there...people who are feeling as upset as I am elated. I haven't forgotten how that feels. Eight years ago was particularly painful, so yeah...I get it. But you know, this country is so full of good, honest, caring people. And I think there's so much more that people agree on than they disagree on. I so hope that Obama can prove the doubters wrong, for everyone's sake. I hope that "the right" will give him a chance, and just as strongly, I hope that "the left" doesn't forget that every person's opinions count, not just those who agree with them.

*And one final note on politics...my kiddos surprised the heck out of me last night. Annie was tracking the election results as they came in, coloring in her own little map. It was an assignment for school, but she was really enjoying it. But what was so shocking was how the boys were so into it all. They were just glued to the television with the rest of us. Their bedtime rolled around, and we just didn't have the heart to tuck them into their little nests. After all, some things are more important than a good night's sleep...and how awful it would have felt to stifle their interest in the whole thing. They were so cute, wrapped up in their blankets, lounging on the floor, cheering like crazy when Obama won a state. Not a one of them, not even Annie, managed to stay awake quite long enough, but it was the first question out of each of their mouths this morning. What a great thing it will be if kids across this country--red, blue, purple, green, and tangerine--all stay this interested in what happens in our incredible nation.

*I'm forced to admit that I lack discipline. Exhibit A: This whole blogging schedule plan of mine is not working all that well. I do great with Monday, so-so with Tuesday and Wednesday, and then just totally fall apart for the rest of the week. I may just have to chalk this one up as a failed experiment. Exhibit B: This whole laying off the challenges thing isn't going too well either. While I've stopped "officially" signing up for every challenge that strikes my fancy, I'm beginning to pile up an awful lot of new ones "unofficially". I'm pathetic.

*I've been wondering if there is such a thing as Adult-Onset ADD. And I don't think I'm kidding. The last few months, I feel as if I've been losing my mind. I'm so frazzled, and can't seem to stay focused enough to get anything truly done. Rich tells me that I just need to learn to sleep once in a while and that I need to stop trying to do so much. Maybe he's right, I don't know. I just know that it's quite unsettling to feel as if your brain has been replaced with someone else's.

10 comments:

I am going to say Rich may be onto something. Your brain needs sleep as much as your body does. Think of sleep for your brain much like deleting the temp files & cookies on your computer: if you don't do it regularly, it bogs the whole system down!

My kids were too tired to stay up, but they were definitely interested in the outcome. They held a mock election at their school, and Obama won by a landslide (not surprising for where we live). I asked Jacob why he had voted for Obama, if he did so just because he had heard us talking about him or if he had reasons of his own. He said, "He just looks like such a nice man." He then added that McCain looks too old to be a president, but hey . . . LOL!

Anyway, the result was the first thing on my kids' minds, too, this morning. Jacob was sitting straight up in bed when I walked in. The first thing out of his mouth was, "Did Obama win?" I honestly felt I was delivering an awesome birthday or Christmas present!

I once thought it would be fun to design a state map puzzle so that the state pieces were weighted according to the number of electoral votes. It would come with a scale with an elephant and a donkey on each end. As the results came in, kids could deposit each state in the appropriate basked on the balance. The only problem is the two states (Maine and Nebraska, I think) that apportion electoral votes rather than award them as winner take all. Bummer!

I will try to post something on my blog on the election from the front lines at least in my precinct later today. First, though, I have to finish a work thing left over from Monday.

Oh, I don't know if there is adult-onset ADD, but I know a couple of adults who did not learn they had ADD until adulthood. One takes meds for it, while I think the other elected not to but tries to compensate in other ways.

I'm glad that the election season is over too and like you, thrilled about our new president! It's like a breath of fresh air. I don't talk politics on my blog, but it's nice to be able to sneak in comments on other people's ;) I love that your kids were so involved with this election!

I hope you get to feeling a little more settled soon. My husband suffers from ADD and it is awful for him (and sometimes for me).

I hope that kids continue to stay involved in politics as well--I was really surprised and disappointed at how low the voting turnout was for first time voters. I was able to squeeze in my vote at the last minute (didn't realize that I was still registered...although under my maiden name and old address), but many others my age (who would be third time voters, I guess) didn't exercise their right. Good for you for getting your kids so involved! I think that's where it starts...

Boo for challenges. :) I've committed to hosting the non-fiction five next year for Joy since she is going challengeless and I'm really not all that excited to do anything! Eeeks...